The Florida Keys are one of the most fun trips in the US: a string of islands trailing off Florida’s southern tip, all turquoise water, coral reefs, key lime pie and laid-back island bars. Most people make a beeline for Key West, but there is so much more to the Keys than its most famous town, from feeding tarpon in Islamorada to snorkelling the reef off Key Largo.
On our recent trip we split our time between Key Largo, Marathon and Key West, and tried to keep it responsible along the way (eco tours, an electric rental, reef-safe sunscreen). This is our first-hand guide to the best things to do in Florida Keys, organised key by key. It covers the drive, the highlights, and where to eat and stay.
Key Takeaways
- The Keys run from Key Largo down to Key West along the Overseas Highway (US-1), with the drive from Miami taking about 3.5-4 hours without stops.
- Key West is the hub (Duval Street, Mallory Square sunsets, the Hemingway Home, the Southernmost Point), but Islamorada, Marathon and Key Largo each have their own draws.
- The signature experiences are snorkelling John Pennekamp reef, feeding tarpon at Robbie’s, riding the Old Seven Mile Bridge and a dolphin-and-snorkel tour.
- Three to five days lets you drive the Keys at a relaxed pace; a long weekend covers the highlights.
- The Keys are excellent for families, thanks to the Turtle Hospital, dolphin tours, gentle beaches and the Key deer refuge.
The Florida Keys at a Glance
Here is the quick version before the detail below.
| Where | Off southern Florida, Key Largo to Key West along US-1 |
| Getting there | ~3.5-4 hr drive from Miami, or fly into Key West (EYW) |
| Getting around | A rental car is essential (we used an EV) |
| How long | 3-5 days for the full drive; a weekend for the highlights |
| Don’t miss | Pennekamp reef, Robbie’s tarpon, Mallory Square sunset, the Old Seven Mile Bridge |
| Best time | December to April for dry, warm weather |
| Good for | Families, couples, snorkellers, road-trippers |
How to Get to the Florida Keys
The quickest way in is to fly into Key West International Airport, then use taxis, shuttles or a rented golf cart or scooter around town. But the most scenic option, and our pick, is to drive: a road trip down the Overseas Highway from Miami is an adventure in its own right, and it is the only way to explore beyond Key West.
To keep it greener, we rented an electric car (a Polestar 2 via Enterprise) from Miami Airport for under $100/day, comparable to a compact, and recharged for free at hotels and restaurants along the Keys, so the fuel savings paid for the car. One tip: don’t underestimate the distances. Miami to Key West is 3.5 to 4 hours without stops, so plan your days accordingly.
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The 25 Best Things to Do in the Florida Keys
There is a lot packed into these islands. Here is how the highlights break down by key, then the detail below.
The Florida Keys, Key by Key
| Key / Area | Don’t-miss things to do |
|---|---|
| Key West | Duval St, Mallory Square sunset, Hemingway Home, Southernmost Point, dolphin + snorkel tour, Fort Zachary Taylor |
| Marathon (Middle Keys) | Old Seven Mile Bridge, Pigeon Key, the Turtle Hospital |
| Islamorada | Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s, the Diving Museum, Long Key State Park |
| Big Pine Key | Bahia Honda beaches, the National Key Deer Refuge |
| Key Largo | Snorkel/dive John Pennekamp Coral Reef, Duck Key |
| Dry Tortugas | Fort Jefferson + pristine reef, by ferry or seaplane |
Things to Do in Key West
Key West is the heart of the Keys and worth a few days on its own. Here are the best things to do in its Old Town and around.
Explore Old Town and Duval Street
Old Town Key West is the soul of the island: lively Duval Street and its bars, the pretty old houses of Caroline Street, and museums like the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum. The hop-on Conch Train Tour is a fun, informative way to get your bearings on day one.
Catch the sunset at Mallory Square
On the historic waterfront, Mallory Square throws a nightly sunset festival: buskers, craft vendors, street food and a magical sunset over the Gulf. It is every visitor’s favourite way to end a Key West day.
Snap the Southernmost Point
The giant painted buoy marks the southernmost point of the continental US, just 90 miles from Cuba. Expect a line for the photo, it is as popular as it sounds.
Climb the Key West Lighthouse
Opened in 1848 and now preserved as a museum, the Key West Lighthouse rewards the 88-step climb with a lovely view over the town and harbour.
Tour the Ernest Hemingway Home
Hemingway lived on Whitehead Street for a decade, and his home (and its famous six-toed cats) is now a museum where you can step into the world where he wrote several classics. A must for literary fans.
Take a sunset cruise
A sunset sail is one of the most romantic things to do in the Keys. We sailed with Sebago Watersports, whose two-hour catamaran cruise includes wine, beer, snacks, key lime pie and live music, a lovely way to end the day on the water.
Kayak the mangroves
For active travellers, a half-day mangrove kayak eco-tour is a brilliant way to explore the Key West coastline and learn about its ecosystems, one of the best small-group tours in the Keys.
Go dolphin-watching and snorkelling
Our trip highlight was a dolphin-and-snorkel tour with Honest Eco on their solar-powered boat, Squid. We had a magical encounter with a wild pod, then snorkelled a reef with turtles, puffer fish, lobsters and even a nurse shark, all with a tiny group and a superb crew. Far better than any captive-dolphin attraction. Bring reef-safe sunscreen.
Beach day at Smathers Beach
For a proper white-sand beach day, Smathers Beach on the south coast has chair and watersport rentals, beach volleyball and a line of food trucks. The most popular beach in Key West.
Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
This Civil War-era fort doubles as Key West’s best beach, with clear water for snorkelling, shady picnic spots and a slice of history. A local favourite that many visitors miss.
Day Trip: Dry Tortugas National Park
Almost 70 miles off Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most special places in the Keys: seven remote islands reached by ferry (about 2h15) or seaplane. The highlight is the vast 19th-century Fort Jefferson, plus the Garden Key Lighthouse and some of the healthiest coral reef in the Keys for snorkelling. Visit on a day trip or camp overnight.
Things to Do in Marathon and the Middle Keys
Midway down the chain, Marathon is all about the water and the railroad history.
Ride the Old Seven Mile Bridge
The Old Seven Mile Bridge, once the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” now carries a 2.2-mile walking and cycling path out to historic Pigeon Key. Rent a bike (Marathon Bike Rentals is right there) and pedal across, stopping to spot rays and turtles below, one of the best of Florida’s bike trails.
Visit Pigeon Key
This tiny island once housed the 400 workers who built the Overseas Railroad, and its preserved buildings and museum tell that story. It is also a great snorkel and kayak spot. You can only reach it on foot or by bike, so go early with water and reef-safe sunscreen ($10 entry; gates close at 4pm).
The Turtle Hospital
One of the Keys’ most heart-warming stops, the Turtle Hospital in Marathon rehabilitates injured and sick sea turtles. The half-hourly guided tours go behind the scenes at the rehab tanks, and kids love it.
Wakeboard the Lagoon at Grassy Key
Just up the road at Grassy Key, the cable park at the Lagoon (at Grassy Flats) is a fun spot to try wakeboarding, whether you are a first-timer or an old hand.
Things to Do in Islamorada
Islamorada is the Keys’ sport-fishing capital and home to one of its most famous experiences.
Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s
Robbie’s on Lower Matecumbe Key is a Keys institution, best known for its tarpon feeding: for $5, visitors hand-feed the giant fish that circle the marina. We watched rather than fed, but it’s a real thrill. Stay for the excellent fresh seafood and sunset views.
History of Diving Museum and Long Key State Park
The quirky History of Diving Museum traces humans’ attempts to explore the deep, while nearby Long Key State Park offers quiet beaches, kayaking and one of the Keys’ best short nature trails, a peaceful antidote to the Key West crowds.
Things to Do in Big Pine Key and Key Largo
The Upper Keys are all about wildlife and the reef.
Snorkel or dive John Pennekamp Coral Reef
In Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the US and is the Keys’ premier snorkel and dive site, protecting a stretch of the only living coral reef in the continental US. Glass-bottom boat, snorkel and dive trips run daily.
Meet the Key deer at the National Key Deer Refuge
On Big Pine Key, the National Key Deer Refuge protects the tiny, endangered Key deer found nowhere else on earth. Drive or cycle the quiet lanes at dawn or dusk for the best chance to spot them.
Beach-hop Bahia Honda and explore Duck Key
Bahia Honda State Park has arguably the best natural beaches in the Keys, while low-key Duck Key is a pretty, off-the-beaten-path stop for a quieter side of island life.
The Florida Keys with Kids
The Keys are a superb family destination. The Turtle Hospital and the Key deer refuge are wildlife wins, the dolphin and glass-bottom-boat tours thrill all ages, Smathers and Bahia Honda beaches are gentle, and the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory and biking the Old Seven Mile Bridge round out an easy, active family week, which is why the Keys rank among Florida’s top family-vacation spots.
Where to Eat in the Florida Keys
Seafood is the star, from conch fritters to the freshest stone crab and, of course, key lime pie. Three standouts:
| Restaurant | Style | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| BO Fish Wagon | Seafood shack | Iconic Key West spot for conch fritters + fresh fish |
| Matt’s Stock Island Kitchen | Local + seafood | Away from the Duval crowds, superb fresh plates |
| Robbie’s Hungry Tarpon | Waterfront seafood | Islamorada institution, fresh seafood + tarpon feeding |
Where to Stay in the Florida Keys
Base yourself in Key West for nightlife and history, or spread stays down the chain to break up the drive. Two we loved, plus a top Marathon pick:
| Hotel | Area | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parrot Key Hotel & Villas | Key West | $$$ | Couples + families, resort feel near Old Town |
| Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club | Marathon | $$ | Boutique, laid-back, central for the Middle Keys |
| Isla Bella Beach Resort | Marathon | $$$ | Beachfront luxury, families |
Parrot Key Hotel & Villas
Parrot Key Hotel & Villas is a relaxed resort-style base a short hop from Old Town, with four pools, waterfront villas and a real holiday feel, a great pick for couples and families who want space to unwind after a day on Duval Street.
Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club
Grassy Flats Resort & Beach Club is a boutique, laid-back beach club at Grassy Key, perfectly placed for the Middle Keys and Seven Mile Bridge. The on-site Lagoon cable park and beach make it a fun, central base.
Isla Bella Beach Resort
Isla Bella Beach Resort is Marathon’s polished beachfront option, with a mile of shoreline, five pools and top-notch dining, ideal for a more luxurious family stay in the Middle Keys.
Final Thoughts on the Florida Keys
From Key West’s sunsets to Key Largo’s reef, the Florida Keys pack a remarkable amount into one easy, beautiful drive. Take three to five days, spread your stays down the chain, and mix the icons with the quieter corners. Planning a bigger Florida trip? Pair the Keys with Miami up the coast, or explore more of the state: Fort Myers, Crystal River (and an aerial glider flight), Ocala, Winter Garden, Tallahassee and the Jacksonville beaches. The USA road-trip cost guide helps with the wider plan.
Which Key is calling your name, party-and-history Key West or the quiet reef of Key Largo?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in the Florida Keys?
The standouts are snorkelling John Pennekamp reef in Key Largo, feeding the tarpon at Robbie’s in Islamorada, riding the Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, and exploring Key West (Mallory Square sunset, the Hemingway Home, the Southernmost Point) plus a dolphin-and-snorkel tour.
How many days do you need in the Florida Keys?
Three to five days lets you drive the Overseas Highway from Key Largo to Key West at a relaxed pace, stopping to snorkel, kayak and explore each key. A long weekend covers the main highlights.
Which Florida Key is the best to visit?
Key West is best for history, nightlife and sunsets; Islamorada for fishing and Robbie’s; Key Largo for reef snorkelling; and Marathon and Big Pine for family fun and wildlife. Most trips string several together along the drive.
Are the Florida Keys good for families?
Yes. Between the Turtle Hospital, dolphin and glass-bottom-boat tours, the Key deer refuge, gentle beaches and biking the Old Seven Mile Bridge, the Keys are an excellent family destination, and consistently rank among Florida’s top family-vacation spots.
What are the Florida Keys known for?
The Keys are famous for the Overseas Highway and Seven-Mile Bridge, world-class snorkelling and diving on the only living coral reef in the continental US, sport fishing, Key West’s laid-back culture, key lime pie and gorgeous sunsets.
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